Chapter 186: I Finally Found You
The woman who attacked Masumi Sera at that moment was code-named "Chianti," a formidable assassin working for the Black Organization.
Although Chianti primarily worked as a sniper alongside her partner "Korn," situations like today were not unusual—she sometimes had to approach her targets directly.
Chianti herself had quite impressive assassination skills, but she did not expect Masumi Sera's abilities to be so strong.
Not only did Chianti fail to harm Masumi Sera during her ambush, but Sera also disarmed her within seconds.
---
Masumi Sera was exceptionally strong.
After sensing Chianti's murderous intent toward her, Sera attacked with far more intensity than she usually used against common gangsters.
Her strike to the ulnar nerve inside Chianti's arm severely compromised the movement of her right forearm.
Simultaneously, Sera's unhesitating blow to the radial styloid process of Chianti's right wrist caused her to lose the ability to hold onto her dagger.
The sharp pain radiating from her right hand distorted Chianti's face.
---
However, Chianti was an experienced assassin. Her free left hand immediately reached for the dagger embedded in her left leg.
But just as Chianti made her move, she noticed a glimmer of cold steel flash before her eyes.
The dagger that had just fallen from her right hand suddenly bounced into the air.
The next moment, Sera Masumi caught it and pressed it against Chianti's neck.
---
Chianti froze, her entire body stiffening as a chilling sensation swept over her.
Her wide-open eyes fixated on Masumi Sera, who stood before her—a woman whose appearance inexplicably felt familiar.
It was then Chianti realized that her opponent's close-combat skills were leagues beyond hers.
What shocked Chianti even more were the first words uttered by the delicate-looking high school detective in front of her.
---
"I finally found you."
---
Masumi Sera gripped Chianti's wrist with one hand and pressed the dagger against her neck with the other.
Narrowing her sharp dark-green eyes, she locked her gaze onto Chianti's.
Her heart was still tense from Chianti's earlier ambush.
---
'I didn't expect her to already be lying in wait around Kunio Koizumi's room.'
'It seems she planned to kill Koizumi the moment he opened the door and then steal the computer.'
'This organization truly knows no bounds, and the word "integrity" doesn't even exist in their vocabulary.'
'Good thing I kept my voice low while communicating with him. Otherwise, she would've noticed me.'
---
Sera Masumi thought to herself, though a new question arose in her mind.
'How did she bypass his surveillance and sneak into the hotel?'
'Could it be that because I had him focus on the Jingsui Hot Spring Hotel during our earlier conversation, he failed to notice her infiltrating this place?'
'Fortunately, I stayed in the room. Otherwise, he might've been injured by her ambush.'
---
Masumi Sera studied Chianti intently.
She curled the corner of her lips slightly and said, "I finally found you."
Chianti's eyes widened at Sera Masumi's words, revealing a deep disbelief.
---
To Chianti, it made no sense for Masumi Sera to recognize her at all, especially since she was wearing a mask.
But after hearing Sera's words, Chianti could clearly feel that the other party had been actively searching for her.
Chianti couldn't recall ever interacting with Masumi Sera before. Her thoughts were momentarily thrown into chaos by Sera's statement.
---
Masumi Sera, however, was pleased by the astonished expression on Chianti's face.
It meant she had seized control of the conversation.
---
Taking advantage of Chianti's momentary distraction, Sera wrenched Chianti's right arm behind her back.
Masumi Sera shifted her entire body behind Chianti in one fluid motion.
The sharp, sudden movements sent pain radiating through Chianti's injured arm once again.
Chianti's face twisted in agony, and she cursed under her breath, "Damn it."
---
With Chianti's arm restrained behind her, Sera moved the dagger away from her neck.
She slipped her left hand into her pocket and pulled out a keycard.
'This time, I'll get the answers I need—the purpose of her mission and her motive for killing Akikawa Ryoko.'
Masumi Sera planned to interrogate Chianti in Kunio Koizumi's room.
---
She intended to uncover the truth about last year's car accident involving Chianti and then report the findings to Conan.
Just as Masumi Sera was about to push Chianti into Kunio Koizumi's room, she heard a panicked voice from behind.
---
"Guest, guest! What are you doing?"
---
Startled, Sera Masumi quickly turned around.
She saw a hotel staff member, dressed in the uniform of the Kosenan Hot Spring Hotel, staring at her and Chianti.
The staff member's expression was one of panic, likely interpreting the scene before her as a crime in progress.
---
Aware of the recent murders at the hotel and the heightened anxiety among staff, Sera Masumi hurriedly tried to calm her down.
"You don't need to be afraid. I'm a detective."
---
"The person I've apprehended is the real culprit behind today's dismemberment case—the murderer who killed Mr. Kawasaki."
---
"How do I know if what you're saying is true?"
The staff member's trembling voice made it clear she was still skeptical.
---
"You worked as part of the service staff during the day, didn't you? You can call the police or ask your colleagues about me."
"My name is Masumi Sera, the detective who helped the Kanagawa Prefectural Police solve today's dismemberment case."
---
The staff member murmured Sera's name softly.
Masumi's confident tone seemed to reassure her slightly.
---
"Could you call the police for me? Tell them I've captured the real culprit behind the dismemberment case."
Sera turned back and pushed Chianti into the room.
But at that moment, a terrified scream pierced the air behind her.
---
(End of Chapter)